1798 Half Eagle

HBCC#:

3053

Breen#:

6426

BD#:

2

Judd#:

n/a

Pollock#:

n/a

Beginning in 1798, production of half eagles increased, and with this increase was an increase in dies used, and ultimately in die varieties known today. From 1795 to 1797, a total of 18,500 half eagles was minted, while in 1798 alone production totaled 24,867 coins. In his 1966 monograph, Walter Breen recorded seven known varieties, with the same varieties known today. This die marriage features the same obverse die also used for the rare 1798 Small Eagle variety — however, in a later die state — thus proving this coin was struck at a later date.

Provenance:

From Stack's sale of the Bartle Collection, October 1984, Lot 1111.

Obverse:

Reverse:

Commentary:

"Obverse: Large close date, large 8. 179 very close. Rough circular crack running from field below bust tip, under bottom of 8, continuing to above 8th star. another, smaller, over RT. Crack edge - star 1 - hair. Reverse: Heraldic eagle. 13 stars. 4 berries. Broken claw. Crack stars 13 - 12 - left wing and wing tip - edge."